Auxiliary wheel for automobiles



June 23, 1936. c. E. WHITEHEAD AUXILIARY WHEEL FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed May 6, 1955 Wzarled E W h z fehead Patented June 23, E936 acetate will Mi EL FOR AUTGMOBHJES Charles E. Whitehead, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Asst-leaded y s, 1935, Serial No. 20,062

2 Claims (31. 301-38) My invention relates to improvements in auxiliary 'wheels for motor vehicles. V

I An object of the invention is to provide an auxiliary wheel for automobiles, permanently mounted inwardly of and secured to each of the usual rear wheels, provided with a removable rim having a resilient tire, normally out of contact with I the ground, which auxiliary wheel is adapted to function in place ofthe' usual wheel should the tire of the latter become accidentally deflated.

A further object is to provide an auxiliary wheel of the type mentioned, to the periphery ofwhich may be attached a rim provided with gripping lugs for use in the event of ice or snow, and which may be brought into contactwith the ground upon voluntary partial deflation of the tire on the usual wheel.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device ofthe above-mentioned character whichjs simple and durable in construction, reliableand emcient in operation, and inexpensive to manu-v facture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description:

In the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a sectional view of a vehicle wheel with the auxiliary wheel attached thereto,

Figure 21s a section taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a section taken on the line 3-301? Figure 2, and

Figure 4 is a perspective view of one of the supporting roller bearings for the auxiliary wheel.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view of a modification. a

In the drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration, I have shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 5 denotes, generally, an automobile wheel having the usual rim 5 and hub l secured to the drive axle 8, on which it is held by the nut a, threaded on the end of the axle. The rim 6 supports a pneumatic the it which when inflated provides traction between the wheel and ground.

Referring more particularly to my invention,

' the auxiliary wheel includes a hub it, supported on the axle 8, adjacent the inner end ofthe hub ll of the main wheel, 5, by a series of split roller bearings 62. The roller bearings are confined in a groove formed inthe' inner circumference of movement of the spokes.

radial movement of the hub l i when the auxiliary wheel is in use. The auxiliary wheel is held against lateral movement on the axle by ball bearings l4 and IS, the ball bearings M are disposed between the inner end of the hub E of the main wheel and the outer-end of the hub ii of the auxiliary wheel, while the ball bearings 95 are. disposed between the inner end of the hub H and a shoulder i6 formed on the axle 8. A plurality of spokes llradiate from the hub l l in parallel relation to the sides of the main wheel and support at their outer ends a circular shaped felly W, on the outer periphery of which is mounted a demountable rim H9. The demountable rim I9 is split at diametrically opposite points to form two halves or sections, joined together at one end by a hinge joint 2t and at their opposite inner circumference of the rim has an annular groove 22 formed therein toreceive the felly it,-

one wall of the groove being provided at spaced intervals with notches 2s which'engage lugs 2t projecting laterally from the felly and prevent movement of the rim with respect to 'the felly.-

The tread surface of the rim may have integral upstanding'gripping lugs 25 arranged in parallel rows in staggered relation, or it may be provided with a suitable resilient tire, 25a, as shown in Figure 5. I

A housing is provided for the spokes of the auxiliary wheel consisting of two disk shaped plates 25 and'Zl disposed on opposite sides of the wheel and secured together by rivets 28 in face to face engagement. At points opposite the spokes, the plates are formed with opposed radial depressions or channels 29 forming relatively wide pockets to receive the spokes which permit slight The outer edge of the plate 26 is bent at an angle to form a flange 3E3 which is welded or otherwise suitably secured to the rim 6 of the main wheel 5 while the edge of the opening in the center of the plate is bent to form a flange at which is suitably fastened to the. hub i of the main'wheel; Attached to the outer face of the plate 2'? is a conventional brake drum, 32.

The auxiliary wheel is'attached to the main wheel 5 through the medium of the housing, so that the auxiliary wheel rotates with the main wheel which, is driven by the axle 8. The outer circumference of the auxiliary wheel is such that when the pneumatic tire ill of the main wheel is inflated the auxiliary wheel is maintained out of engagement with the ground, but upon partial or complete deflation of the tire the auxiliary wheel engages with the ground and supports the vehicle.

, Normally, the auxiliary wheels each carry a rim I 9 provided with a resilient tire so that, in the event of accidental deflation oi the tire on one of the usual wheels, the adjacent auxiliary wheel will function.

In the event of snow or ice, a rim l9 provided with gripping lugs 25 is placed on each auxiliary wheel, after which the tires of the usual rear wheels are deflated to a suflicient degree to permit the lugs to support the vehicle and provide the necessary traction.

While the invention has been described herein as used in connection with the rear wheels of an automobile, it will be understood that it may be applied to all of the wheels if desired.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that a device has been provided whereby the dangers resulting Irom-accidental deflation of tires will be eliminated as will those resulting from skidding.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that certain changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In combination with a vehicle wheel having an axle, a spoked auxiliary wheel rotatably mounted on the axle of said vehicle wheel, housing plates disposed on opposite sides of said auxiliary wheel and fixedly secured together, said plates having opposed channels forming pockets to receive the spokes of said auxiliary wheel, said pockets being relatively wide to permit limited movement of the spokes therein, and means connect-ing one of said plates to said vehicle wheel.

2. In combination with a vehicle wheel having an axle, an auxiliary wheel including a hub,

split roller bearings rotatably supporting said hub on the axle of said vehicle wheel, spokes radiating from said hub, a felly supported at the outer ends of said spokes, housing plates disposed on opposite sides of said auxiliary wheel and CHARLES E. WI-HTEHEAD. 

